I seem to recall studies that suggest a correlation between the Pacific Ocean El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Atlantic Basin tropical cyclone activity. During El Niño cycles (warmer than normal waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific), Atlantic cyclone activity appears to decrease. The opposite effect seems to occur during La Niña episodes (colder than normal waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific). It might be interesting to see how the ENSO cyclicity graphs against the work that you have done, Jim.